Edinburgh have announced the signing of South African prop WP Nel on a three-year contract from the Free State Cheetahs.

The 25-year-old will arrive at the RaboDirect PRO12 side in the summer after he plays in this season's Super Rugby for the Cheetahs. Nel has 32 appearances in Super Rugby to his name and has played for the Barbarians previously.

Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley was delighted to confirm his new signing and argues that Nel's capture is a statement of intent from the Scottish side. Bradley said: "We're delighted to have signed WP Nel for the next three seasons; a player of the calibre, experience and expertise that we seek to attract to the club and to serve our ambitions to put Edinburgh Rugby among the top clubs in Europe.

"We've taken our time to ensure we get make sure we get the right players for this club and I'm confident that he'll make an immediate impact. He has a lot of experience for a 25-year-old prop and will ring a huge amount to our performance on the pitch and to the development of the talented young props we have at the club."

Looking ahead to his summer switch Nel said: "My experience at the Cheetahs has been fantastic and I can't thank coach Naka Drotske enough for all that he has done for me but when I got the chance to go to Edinburgh Rugby, it was an opportunity to gain new experience and develop my game even further.

"Edinburgh Rugby play a fantastic brand of rugby and I'm really looking forward to lining up alongside some of their world-class players and living in a great city like Edinburgh.

"To be involved in that set-up and experience northern hemisphere rugby and conditions can only improve my game in two great competitions - the Rabodirect PRO12 and the Heineken Cup - and I'm certainly looking forward to the challenge."